EMS Roundtables: Leaders Helping Each Other

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

This year, as an extension of our yearly EMS Leadership Summit at IPC APEX EXPO, we have begun hosting regional roundtables. These meetings primarily provided an opportunity to network with fellow EMS leaders in each region. At these scheduled receptions and dinners, leaders gather to solve problems, build business networks, and discover potential new insights. At the same time, IPC facilitators share information regarding IPC initiatives and EMS market data.

So far, regional roundtable gatherings have taken place in the Midwest, Great Lakes, Pacific Northwest, Southern California, and the California Bay Area. All have received excellent feedback. Ongoing EMS regional meetings will be scheduled twice a year with an annual national/global EMS Summit event at IPC APEX EXPO. Future regional gatherings are planned this year in Texas, Florida, and the Northeast Coast of the United States. All EMS leaders are encouraged to attend; there is no cost, and you do not need to be an IPC member.

To give you a sense of the discussions ongoing at the roundtables, here are some excerpts and examples:

How can we make the EMS industry sexy again?
In 2024, there are challenges and opportunities at the forefront of the EMS industry. We continue to see a tight labor market and supply chain issues resulting in uncertainty for the future. Efficiency and optimized workforce management were on everyone’s minds. Both large and small EMS companies face a commonality with the retirement of experienced staff/workers, skilled labor shortages, and decisions on how to be ready to hire a new and inexperienced workforce. Mark Evans of Green Circuits asked, “How do we make the EMS industry sexy again?” In other words, what will bring the new and younger generation into this industry?

The great unknown: What does the EMS future bring?
Digital innovation—robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence (AI)—promises to transform the industry in years to come, stretching all the way from development to design to fabrication to assembly. Electronics manufacturing is experiencing rapid expansion, new cutting-edge technology, and moving in great strides with innovative processes and design. The priority will be to gather, understand, and implement this data effectively across this industry.

Concerns were voiced about how new digital innovations will change the way manufacturers operate, the profitability of the new innovations, the effects of smart manufacturing on the workforce, and the resiliency of the supply chain.

ERP: Is there one that really works?
Reach out and let us know your thoughts. Future regional gathering dates and registration information can be found here.

Join us and continue the conversation at the EMS Leadership Summit at IPC APEX EXPO 2024. The EMS Leadership Summit brings together current and future EMS industry leaders to focus on high-level topics that drive business growth and financial success. Leaders gather insights from experts and discuss their own and potential new best practices during panel discussions and roundtables. This meeting of minds inspires action and builds resources for participants, future leaders, and the greater EMS industry. Relax and continue making connections at the EMS Networking Dinner after the summit adjourns. Dinner is included with your summit registration.

For additional information, contact Mark Wolfe at MarkWolfe@ipc.org or Glenna Carrell, GlennaCarrell@ipc.org.

This article originally appeared in the March 2024 issue of SMT007 Magazine.